Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I support Senator Brian Hayes on the need for action by the Government on information about price fixing by car dealers. It is important that the Government would take action and that there be feedback to this House about what has been done in this regard.

I support Senator O'Toole on the need for us to question the United States on its foreign policy. By us not doing that sufficiently, we are endangering our sovereignty. For example, if Shannon Airport is being used to land CIA planes which are being used for bringing detainees to other countries for torture or ill-treatment, as has been alleged by Amnesty International, or if there are secret flights landing at Shannon being used for who knows what by the US Government, it could be unconstitutional and would have a detrimental effect on our sovereignty. We need to act on that now. I ask the Leader to ensure a debate on the issue as soon as possible.

I wish to raise with the Leader a letter I received from the SIPTU office in Kilkenny on the Comerama textile factory workers in Castlecomer. The letter outlines how the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, who was then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, gave the workers a commitment in 2002 that they would get the approved statutory redundancy terms. That commitment has not been honoured by the Tánaiste or by the Government. I ask the Leader to take up the matter with the Taoiseach and to come back to this House to let us know the up-to-date position.